On April 5, US President Donald Trump warned Americans of hardship ahead, but promised investment and prosperity would follow. He acknowledged the global turmoil caused by Washington’s tariff policies and urged people to be patient.
“We have been the stupid and powerless ‘pillars’, but not anymore. We are bringing jobs and businesses like never before. This is an economic revolution and we will win.
“Be patient, it won’t be easy, but the end result will be historic,” Trump wrote on the social network Truth Social.
The comments come as Mr Trump’s most sweeping tariffs yet take effect and could trigger retaliation and escalating economic tensions.
The “base” 10% tax rate took effect at midnight on April 5, hitting most US imports except goods from Mexico and Canada.
The EU, Japan and China are among about 60 trading partners that will face even higher tariffs on April 9.
In response, British and French leaders have vowed to retaliate, while Beijing has announced tariffs on US goods equal to the 34% that Mr Trump imposed on China.
Mr. Musk suggests a free trade deal with Europe
While Mr Trump has been ratcheting up tariffs, his close adviser, billionaire Elon Musk, has said he hopes the US and Europe can enter into a free trade agreement with zero tariffs.
“I hope that the US and Europe can establish a very close partnership. I hope that both Europe and the US should move to a zero tariff state, which in my view is essentially creating a free trade area between Europe and North America,” Musk said in a video statement at a meeting with the Italian far-right party La Liga posted on social media X.
The billionaire said he supported “more freedom for people to travel between Europe and North America” for work. “That’s certainly my advice to the president,” Mr Musk said, although observers saw this as a sign of potential friction between him and Mr Trump.
Protests against tax policies across the US
Protesters in Washington DC, US on April 5 – Photo: REUTERS
Thousands of protesters gathered in Washington DC and many cities across the US on April 5, local time. About 1,200 protests are expected to take place against the policies of Mr. Trump and billionaire Musk.
According to Reuters, protesters gathered around the Washington Monument and the number could reach 20,000. About 150 activist groups have registered to participate in the protest.
Protests have been planned in all 50 states, plus Canada and Mexico.
Israeli Prime Minister visits US to discuss tariffs and Gaza issue
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was the first foreign leader to travel to Washington to meet with Mr Trump for talks on tariffs as well as ceasefire efforts in the Gaza Strip and the “threat from Iran”.
According to a statement from Netanyahu’s office on April 5, the Israeli leader will also discuss Israel-Türkiye relations and efforts to counter the International Criminal Court, which has accused Netanyahu of war crimes.
AFP news agency quoted a White House official as saying that the meeting between Mr. Netanyahu and Mr. Trump is scheduled to take place on April 7.
Previously, Tel Aviv proactively reduced tariffs on US products to avoid reciprocal tariffs from Mr. Trump. However, the US still imposed tariffs on this important ally in the Middle East.
Ukraine blames US for weak response to Russian attacks
Mr Zelensky’s criticism came at a time when Mr Trump was pushing for a partial ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine – Photo: REUTERS
In a speech on April 5, the Ukrainian president criticized the US response to Russia’s attack on his hometown of Kryvyi Rig. The Kiev government said the attack killed 18 people, including nine children.
Writing on social media X later, the US Ambassador to Ukraine, Bridget Brink, described: “Horrifying that tonight a ballistic missile hit near a playground and restaurant”, and said “this is why war must end”.
“Unfortunately, the response of the US Embassy was unpleasantly surprising: such a powerful country, such a powerful people – and such a weak response.
They are even afraid to mention Russia when talking about missiles that kill children,” AFP news agency quoted Mr. Zelensky.
Mr Zelensky’s criticism comes at a time when Mr Trump is pushing for a partial ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine and trying to thaw relations with Moscow.
US revokes visas issued to South Sudan
On April 5, the US announced that it would revoke all issued visas and stop issuing new visas to South Sudanese passport holders because the country would not accept citizens deported by Washington.
Speaking about this move, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said it was time for the South Sudanese government to “stop taking advantage of the United States”.
Washington has previously warned that countries that do not quickly take back their citizens will face consequences, including visa sanctions or tariffs, as the Trump administration steps up immigration enforcement, including the repatriation of people deemed to be in the US illegally.
